Noon mess - September 11, 2001
Address by Major General John S. Grinalds to the Corps

This has been a morning that none of us in this room will soon forget.

As we are gathered here after hearing about the turmoil and terrorism,
we first offer our prayers and our condolences to those whose family
members have been injured or killed in this senseless violence.

I want you to know that The Citadel is in contact with state emergency
officials and we are vigilant as the events unfold. At times of crisis
like this, it is important to remember to remain calm and reasonable.

I am here to tell you that we will persevere during this tragedy
and continue about our business while we remain alert. Therefore,
I ask you to go to your classes as usual today and meet your responsibilities.
There is no change in schedule. You will be notified through the web
site and the commandant's office if there is any change.

If you have family in New York or at the Pentagon, or have worries
about the safety of your family and need to talk with someone, you
may go to the Admissions Office where people from the Chaplain's Office
and Counseling Center will be available to you. There will also be
phones there so you can call your family in Washington, New York and
Pennsylvania. There are also phones in the Commandant's Office.

We have posted a notice on our website and sent it out to the media
to have parents call the Public Affairs Office if they need to get
a message to you. Those calls are being forwarded to the Battalion
Tac Officers and you will be notified as quickly as possible if there
is a message for you. In the meantime, I would also ask you to contact
your parents via e-mail or phone if you have concerns about them.

It is essential for us to remember that we are a Citadel family.
We do not know who is at fault, and it would be grossly unfair to
blame any of our cadets from overseas for anything that has transpired
today. Do not allow anger, frustration or ignorance to cause something
to happen to our cadets that we will regret later.

Again, let us remember our great nation and those who have suffered
losses today with our prayers.